Improvement in clasps for artificial limbs



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y Q sAMUEEE. 1-BI`IR1),I0E MERCER, AND JOSEPH E'DENNIsToN, oE'rrr'rsBUEe, AssIeN- 1 LIMB MANnFAc'rUEINe` ooMrANY, or rimrsnee, PENN ons. 'ro AETIEIQIAL sYLvANIA. @j

Letters Patent No; 112,683, dated March 14, 1871.

" "IMPRovEMENT IN .cLAsPs FOR l ARTIFICIAL Limes.

i The lSchedule telex-:a tol in `mene Letters Patent: and making parl: of the same.

We, SAMUEL F. BURDpof theborongh and county of Mercer, State of Pennsylvania, and JOSEPH F.

p DENNISTON, ofthe city of ljittsburg, county of Allegheny, in-.said State,have invented certain Improve- `mentsin the Fastening of the Upper Socket or Attachment of Artificial i Limbs, for axnputations below theknee.

. The nature and `object offour invention are convenience and 4saving of time inputting on or taking off the artificial leg, which, by this invention,requires but a moment `instead of minutes, and does notopen until removed by the hand. 1- l It consists of` two strips or platesof ,either brass or steel, about one thirty-second of an inch thick, about` one inch wide, andaboutone-qnaiter of an inch ls horter than the length of the`des`ired socket, or from five and one-half to seven inches long;

, One edge of each plate is riveted to the inside or un' `derside of the leather of the separate sides of the socket,

the spaces between the rivets being led or cut away on the edge of the plates fin scallops, thereby reducing i theweight but not thefstrength of the plate. Threesixteenths ofA aninch of the straight edge ofthe under or left-handsection ofthe clasp is then4 turned upward and then-backward, forming a continuous hook'rnnning' thewhole length ofthe plate. l The otheror right-'hand'plate (it being riveted to theiiinner side of the leatherof the socket) is First' Vbent upward andl then forward again, bringing the exlv posed surface of the clasp, when fastened, even with the surfaceof the leathersocket, thus securing smoothness. C

4 The outer or straight edgeof ,this plate is filed or cutaway three-sixteenths of an inch, in su'ch al Inanneras to leavejprojectionspabont one-quarter of an inch lon'g,-one vat each end, of the plate',and three or y four more. at regular intervals along the plate. These projections are then turned back, forming hooks, which tit into the continuous hook on the other plate, the two forming a perfect clasp. We then place eyelets and lacer at one side of the clasp, whereby the size ofthe' socket or attachment is regulated at will, andvfr adjnstment only.

General Description.-

Our invention secures a convenient and quick fastening, which can be executed readily in the darkness ofthe bed-room in one-twentieth ofthe time required bythe old lacing process, and has the advantage over single hooks riveted on the socketof being completely smooth.

When the muscles of the thigh are relaxed the clasp is easily fastened, when the lacer has been previonsly `drawn as tight as circulation of the blood will permit when the muscles are in action.

i The hooks formed on one of the plates facilitate this process veryV much, as they can be fastened one afterthe other; quite an advantage. over having to.

force the continuous claspl to fasten at once.`

Glasps vary in weight and size, owing to -Ithe weight and size of the person whois to wear them; therefore the word about is used in the specification.

Claim. 

